Could this be the end of Kill Rock Stars?

Who is this "we" and why are "we" such a bunch of finger-wagging scolds? When did "we" become all about micro-managing everyone else's personal lives?

At any rate, I don't see the situation between this guy going to work for a major and a band signing to a major as that comparable. The power dynamics, not to mention the basic business relationship, are entirely different.

Oh, shut up, you. You are the biggest micro-manager there is.

No, I'm a DICK.

Big difference.

We are talking about the same KILL ROCK STARS that capitalized on the success of Nirvana and gave us such indie darlings as THE DECEMBERISTS?

I am not sure anyone would really consider a move from KRS to Nonsuch as a major sell out. I mean both labels recruit legions of street teams to promote their products as through they were simple fans extolling their favorite bands to friends.

Nonesuch is an imprint of Warner Music Group. And my feeling is that though the business relationships are different, there is still pressure on A&R to have a hit. Similar to the pressure on editors at publishing houses to have a bestseller. Many of the artists on the Nonesuch roster have an international following and sell lots of records (i.e. lots more records than the artists on KRS). This isn't just some side project for WMG. If Slim doesn't produce, he'll be turned over just like a band would.

As long as this guy isn't developing the new napalm for Dow Chemical, I don't really care how he makes his living.

Very true. Slim can make the decisions that he feels is best for him. There's no running things by the indie purist committee to get a stamp of approval. I mean jesus, he's had an amazing run on a label that was started on a whim, I can see and understand the want to try something else out.

And because of that, this isn't about Slim's decision, but instead, as SorryMa asks in the title of his post, if this marks the beginning of the end of a label that, despite R John's rather cynical thoughts on the matter, is responsible for some of the most challenging and genre-pushing music, art, and culture of the last decade and a half.

To lose the figurehead who created the label is a difficult thing to bounce back from (look, ultimately, at the saga of Lookout, for instance). They have good people there who have been very involved in the day-to-day for a long time now, but it's still going to be a blow.

I for one am pulling for them to emerge from this unscathed.

I'd feel a lot less confident about things:

a label spokesperson says the indie has planned to scale back for a while now. Six staffers will be let go as part of the transition

Ouch. My heart goes out to the folks that are losing their jobs over this. I really hope everything turns out OK.

Didn't a bunch of people from the "heyday" of 80's hardcore end up working A&R for major labels? I don't remember for sure, but I could have sworn I've read that somewhere.

Oh well. Good for him, I with him the best of luck. Who the hell am I to finger-wag or whatever?

To live like a pauper, damn it. Or perhaps a librarian.

was not correct. don't stress dan, it sounds bad I know but they are making corrections for the print story. only one full time and two part time people are leaving. we are branching out to three parts of the country so a restructure is in order. the person quoted is not a spokesperson for the label.

oh and to the idea that we legions of people on street teams, I have to say I think we had one successful street team for a sleater-kinney album. but slim and I got a kick out of the idea of legions of kill rock stars marketers. xo mv

Thanks for setting the record straight Maggie. You'd think they'd you know, fact check, their shit before they run it, but I guess that's too much to ask from Billboard.

To R John that is the same as a legion. Or possibly three Iraqi Divisions.

If you are claiming that I over-react to things then I will have to agree. But really, one successful street team promoting Sleater-Kinney is one too many street teams, I mean really, if you asking me.

it was like maybe 100 kids and by street team we mean putting up posters around town. we've never told people to peer pressure their friends into liking our bands.

I'm sorry you misunderstood me.
I was trying to make fun of sleater-kinney more than the street team that promoted them.

Aw man, I own a TON of records on Nonesuch. Good label.